Medical, pre-medical and other health professional and college students
from throughout the country are invited to come to Maryland this summer
and help make their state the first in the nation to guarantee quality
and affordable health care coverage for everyone. The American Medical
Student Association (www.amsa.org), in cooperation with the Maryland Citizens'
Health Initiative (www.healthcareforall.com), will be offering students
across the country a novel and unparalleled health policy and
community health experience -- "Maryland Summer." In Maryland
Summer, students will learn from health policy leaders, participate in
strategy sessions, and conduct voter education work in order to make "Health
Care for All" an election issue. Length of position is flexible (2-8 weeks),
and even if students can only spare one weekend, they are invited to come
to Maryland for "Invasion Weekends" and help advance this historic initiative.
FREE HOUSING will be available. Students can participate either for
school credit or as a volunteer. All participants will be designated an
"AMSA Maryland Summer Fellow" and will receive a commendation indicating
their contribution at the end of their service. Maryland Summer will serve
as a complementary health policy experience to any clinical volunteer work
students may do. This, by itself, can greatly strengthen students'
medical school applications. AMSA members, medical school
students, and graduates will also be on hand to provide extensive mentoring
for students.
Participating students will volunteer for a minimum of two weeks, full time effort over the period of June-November. If volunteering from June - August, students will have the option to participate in an educational program on health care reform (contingent on funding) which will be offered three days a week and conducted by area experts. Every two weeks the training program will repeat as new students arrive for work.
In addition, students will participate in voter education activities to let Marylanders know which candidates for state office support quality and affordable health care for all. They will speak to community groups about the problems of the uninsured and underinsured. They will participate in town meetings and organize communities to voice their opinions.
We ask that you please inform your students about this exciting opportunity in every way possible and look forward to your continued support of AMSA sponsored programs. Together, the future health professionals of our country can and do make a difference. Maryland Summer will be an unforgettable experience of which we all can be proud.
Please direct students to email Kelli at MdSummer@aol.com
for more information or to apply for an unpaid internship.